troops are also focused on the south around kandahar, the birthplace of the taliban. now, it's been announced that the afghans will be taking the lead in the spring. but what we've seen for ourselves is u.s. forces fighting right alongside them, providing the firepower, air support and medical evacuation. >> pelley: charlie d'agata in kabul. charlie, thank you. the president's facing another national security challenge tonight. late last night, north korea conducted an underground nuclear test, its third test. this could be a crucial step toward building a bomb that could fit on a missile capable of striking the u.s. the u.n. security council condemned north korea's test and the u.s. is threatening to impose additional economic sanctions. at the state of the union address tonight, there will be a great deal said about compromise and bipartisanship, but in reality, there seems to be very little mood for it. today, in a meeting with reporters but no cameras, john boehner, the republican speaker of the house, said this of the president and deficit reduction: those of us